UFCW Local 5 is extremely concerned about the increasingly aggressive approach Raley’s is taking at the bargaining table in Northern California. Negotiations have been ongoing since October and have yet to completely resolve the very complicated issues of affordable health care, compensation and the availability of full-time employment. Raley’s recently announced to the Sacramento Bee that it had no intention of signing a contract extension with Local 5 because the union “had no interest in reaching a settlement.”
“Nothing could be further that the truth,” said Local 5 President Ron Lind, “We understand the company’s concerns about the difficult economic environment in which they operate and have proposed constructive and creative solutions that would address those concerns. Those efforts continue to be met with draconian proposals to undercut decades of progress for grocery workers while throwing thousands of them into poverty by eliminating their affordable healthcare.”
“Local 5 will continue bargaining for as long as it takes to reach an agreement that protects the interests of our members Unfortunately, the recent reckless actions of the company call into question their willingness to do the same. It’s disappointing to see that they are interested in confrontation instead of finding a middle ground,” said Lind.
The union is preparing to schedule special meetings with workers from Raley’s and Nob Hill, a company subsidiary. At those meetings, members will be updated on the progress of the talks and possibly be asked to authorize a strike, Lind said.
Grocery Workers United will continue to update you with the latest news on negotiations in Northern California.